All posts filed under: Art

Originally posted on Reverse Retrograde: It really helps me to relax. This pattern is called the Virus and it has many expanding circles. You can find it to crochet for yourself here. I found it a little difficult at first, but now it’s muscle-memory and easy. I find that the counting and repetitive motions really calm the nerves. It would be even better if I had some helpful herbs to relax with like lemonbalm or catmint. What do you do to find Zen?

Originally posted on mailbox mermaid: What could be a more appropriate distraction from my newfound fear of flying than The Faerie Handbook, a volume dedicated to winged creatures? It was with this logic that I toted this gorgeous, enormous tome in my carry-on luggage to Europe and back this past winter, hoping its lush pages might soothe my anxiety mid-flight. I waited in the terminal clutching it behind my boarding pass, too afraid to leave the book in my backpack and risk loosing access to it after the captain had turned back on the fasten seatbelts sign. I shouldn’t bury the lede: my air travels are less relevant than my general adoration for this book by the creators of Faerie Magazine. Still, its detailed, whimsical contents did indeed prove a panacea to some of my turbulence terrors…so that’s saying something! The Faerie Handbook is the sort of book that you’ll want to display – except perhaps not on a “coffee table” where it could run the risk of spilled-tea damage! I keep mine very visible but well-protected amid…

A few days ago, before the air became too cold and the wind to fast, we gathered in a garden for a day-long Creative Retreat. I had the honor of co-hosting this beautiful Willow Gathering event with my studio-mate, Julie Dodds (a super talented floral designer and travel enthusiast). Our vision for this retreat (and every other retreat or workshop we host) is to create an environment that is restful and nourishing; full of nature, art, peace, and time to rejuvenate. Something intangible and transformative happens when you allow your mind a moment of space to create – and the freedom to try something new. With that quiet goal tucked in our minds, we spent the day learning new artistic kills, lingering over a French-inspired handmade-dinner, and enjoying refreshing drinks and each other’s company as the light faded over the garden and the warm bonfire took its place. ? During the afternoon Julie taught a workshop of floral arranging with a natural, modern aesthetic and I offered instruction in watercolor painting; merging art and nature within monochromatic organic paintings. The comradery…

Originally posted on The Lonely Tribalist: O thou ravishing convulsions, Who lie dormant in the day, And dream of freedom, honeyed revulsions, Yearning for your next lay. O thou bringer of joy and destroyer of woe, It doth not matter how it occur; You care not if with friend or foe, If it’s sweet and intimate or merely a blur. The quivering. The quaking. The shivering. The shaking. Oh what’s that? Let you free? And you’ll promise me another three… Orgasms are awesome. Here’s some fun reading material on the big O: 10 Reasons You Should Have More Orgasms | Women’s Health What Happens When You Have an Orgasm? These 8 Awesome Health Benefits That Beat Going to the Gym Tonight | Bustle Here’s Why You Can’t Orgasm, According to Science | IFLScience The Female Orgasm Explained by Guys | Buzzfeed A-Z Challenge: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z [Header image source: Pixabay]

Originally posted on for the love of nike : Chicago’s Air and Water Show was this past weekend–and it was fantastic as always. This year’s headliners were the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds the F-35 Heritage Flight. The show has been around for 57 years. Back then, the budget was only $88. I’d love to know what the total cost is now that Shell is footing the bill. There is nothing like watching some amazing stunts while gazing at the city that you love. ?

Originally posted on The Nostalgia Blog: Hey guys, my birthday is coming up and you know what I want? World Peace. Just kidding! That will never happen. What I really want is this Color The 90s adult coloring book by Outrageous Katie. It says ‘Adult’, so don’t let anyone give you any shit about being in your 20s, 30s or 40s and coloring in a coloring book (50 years olds can suck it, your were in your 20s when this stuff was relevant). For those interested in this little piece of Nostalgic awesomeness, you can buy it on Amazon! That place has everything! Except my fathers love….Anywho! Check out the link here as well as a few pictures below to get a taste of what the book offers and to plan out your coloring adventure! I myself am going to color Tim Allen blue because I’d never seen a blue Tim Allen before and quite frankly, I want to see one.

Originally posted on Ice the Burn: Studio Ghibli. Enough said. While I want to focus this review mostly on the film, it’s difficult to do so without also addressing Studio Ghibli, one of the greatest animation studios, and its current hiatus situation when it comes to the film’s impact and importance of being nominated at the Academy Awards. In any case, I’ll start with the review first. And to point out: I watched this movie in Japanese with English subtitles. I don’t know how voters watched this film when voting for it to be nominated (and voting for the winning film), but I’m sure the difference in voice acting and adaptation of lines and interpretation will certainly have some impact on the experience. It’s a little strange to tackle this film when seeing only one version – especially the Japanese version, but I’m going for it anyway. Check it out: Anna Sasaki, a tomboyish preteen, lives with foster parents in Sapporo, Japan. She is distant from them mostly, and after having an asthma attack at…